Method of and system for hauling a marine equipment unit, a marine equipment unit and a carrier

Abstract

The present document describes a method of hauling an equipment unit from the water onto a carrier. The carrier comprises a hauling ramp, which is arranged for being extended from a loading area into the water. The carrier further includes a first winch, and a suspension structure arranged for being extended outside the carrier over the water and over the hauling ramp. The suspension structure comprises a second winch. The method comprising the steps of: releasing, by the equipment unit, a hauling buoy. The hauling buoy is connected to a tow line extending from the equipment unit, and to a lift line extending from a lifting point on the unit. The method comprises a further step of recovering the hauling buoy from the water, connecting the tow line to the first winch and connecting the lift line to the second winch. Then, the equipment unit is hauled by towing it onto the hauling ramp using the first winch, while simultaneously guiding the equipment unit using the second winch. The method is in particular useful for hauling of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) during bad weather conditions at sea. The document also describes the equipment unit and a system for hauling that can be installed on a carrier, as well as a carrier comprising such a system.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention is directed at a method of hauling an equipment unit from the water onto a carrier. The invention is further directed at a marine equipment unit, at a marine equipment hauling system for use onboard a carrier and at a carrier comprising such a system.BACKGROUND[0002]The present invention is in particular directed at the hauling of marine equipment onboard a vessel or other water based carrier under rough marine conditions, such as high seas and strong winds. A large variety of underwater sensor and survey systems is nowadays used for performing many different tasks. One class of equipment is for example formed by autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV's) that are used for survey of the sea bed, e.g. to search for mining locations, wrecks, or other features, or to map the bottom surface structures or subsurface structures and elements. Such AUV's are often equipped with sensitive and costly sensor equipment, such as interferometric sonar...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a method for hauling marine equipment back on board a carrier, regardless of weather conditions. This is achieved by using a suspension structure, such as an A-frame or launch boom, and a guiding structure to align and stabilize the equipment during hauling. A second winch is used to provide additional force and guidance to prevent the equipment from crashing or becoming underneath the hauling ramp. This method can be performed even at rough sea conditions and wind forces above 5 Beaufort.

Problems solved by technology

Close to the carrier, under influence of high or violent waves, the AUV may easily crash into the hull of the carrier.

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